History of Religions Concentration
This systematic sequence of courses combines experiential and traditional Buddhist perspectives with a Western-style History of Religions approach to the study of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, arranged according to the Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma. This concentration has been developed over more than twenty-five years of teaching Buddhism to westerners at Naropa University.
Tibetan Tradition Concentration
This concentration presents the systematic foundational courses of the traditional educational system of a Tibetan monastic college (shedra). These courses are based on the Western-style classes and materials developed at Nitartha Institute since 1995 when it was founded by The Dzogchen Ponlop, Rinpoche. These courses present all Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma. (See www.nitarthainstitute.org for information on how the materials and teaching methods for these classes have been developed, as well as for information on the programs and publications of Nitartha Institute itself.) (Note: The MA in Religious Studies includes two of the eight History of Religions courses: The Three Jewels and The Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.)
Comparison of the Two Concentrations
While they devote about the same amount of time to the Mahayana traditions, a noteworthy area of difference between them lies in their relative treatment of foundational Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism.
Compared to the Tibetan Tradition concentration, during its fourth semester the History of Religions concentration places more emphasis on Vajrayana, through studying the lives of Tibetan Buddhist tantric masters and the forms Buddhism has taken in Tibet. The two Tibetan Tradition courses in the fourth semester—Buddha Nature & Shentong Traditions and The Path to Enlightenment—include Vajrayana but as a smaller component, and it is presented from the point of view of how it emerges out of, and is based on, these Mahayana traditions.
Compared to the History of Religions concentration, the Tibetan Tradition concentration places more emphasis on the teachings of foundational Buddhism, teaching this over two semesters instead of only one semester in the History of Religions concentration. The logic for this Tibetan Tradition approach is that the teachings of foundational Buddhism permeate Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism and thus more extensive study of foundational Buddhism will enrich students’ understanding of the other traditions. The Tibetan Tradition courses are designed to cover all the core subjects of foundational Buddhism (and Mahayana Buddhism) that are taught in the Tibetan monastic colleges.
In addition, analytical meditation forms an important element in the courses of the Tibetan Tradition concentration, though some analytical meditation is used in History of Religions courses as well. Here, analytical meditation means the use of thought to contemplate the Buddhist teachings as they apply to one’s direct experience within the context of seated meditation, which can then be extended into one’s daily life.
The two sets of eight courses are as follows, arranged by semester:
History of Religions Concentration
Fall Year 1: Foundational Buddhism
The Three Jewels
The First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
Spring Year 1: Mahayana Buddhism
Madhyamaka
The Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
Fall Year 2: Mahayana Buddhism
The Third Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
Spring Year 2: Vajrayana Buddhism
Vajrayana Texts
Buddhism in Tibet
Tibetan Tradition Concentration
Fall Year 1: Foundational Buddhism
Studying Buddhism: Methods and Issues
Mind and Its World I
Spring Year 1: Foundational Buddhism
Mind and Its World II
Self and No-Self: Analytical Meditation and Experience
Summer Year 1: Nitartha Institute
Fall Year 2: Mahayana Buddhism
The Path to Enlightenment
The Middle Way School
Spring Year 2: Mahayana and Vajrayana
Advanced Shedra Texts
Buddhism in Tibet
